seizure

American  

[see-zher] / ˈsi ʒər /

noun

1. the act or an instance of seizing. seizing.

2. the state of being seized.

3. a taking possession of an item, property, or person legally or by force.

4. a sudden attack, as of epilepsy or some other disease.

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seizure British  

/ ˈsiːʒə /

noun

1. the act or an instance of seizing or the state of being seized

2. pathol a sudden manifestation or recurrence of a disease, such as an epileptic convulsion

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seizure Scientific  

/ sē′zhər /

1. A sudden episode of transient neurologic symptoms such as involuntary muscle movements, sensory disturbances and altered consciousness. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which is often diagnosed on an electroencephalogram.

2. See also epilepsy

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Other Word Forms

• nonseizure noun
• reseizure noun

Etymology

Origin of seizure

First recorded in 1475–85; seize + -ure

Example Sentences

ICE claimed he experienced seizures and vomiting, then became unresponsive.

From Salon

A measure of the scale of the trade is also the number of seizures by the authorities in recent years.

From BBC

Hernandez told police she returned at 4:30 p.m. and found her 1-year-old foaming at the mouth in the midst of a seizure, according to the police report.

From Los Angeles Times

More damaging was the April 2004 seizure of 10 truckloads of weapons in Chittagong - the largest arms haul in Bangladesh's history - allegedly destined for Indian rebel groups.

From BBC

China swiftly reacted to the seizure, the Japanese fisheries' agency first since 2022 of a Chinese fishing boat, by urging Japan to protect the rights of Chinese crew.

From Barron's

Related Words

• breakdown
• convulsion
• illness
• stroke